Mary Byrne reveals cause of her 'X Factor' meltdown

Irish contestant Mary Byrne, who has been tipped to win this years "X Factor" gave a below-par performance on Saturday night's show, but still managed to stay in the competition.

After last nights elimination show she said: "I thought I was gone. Seriously I thought I did but there were so many people voting for me I got through."

The Dubliner has since revealed the cause of near meltdown was celebrating her own birthday without her 23-year-old daughter.

"I missed my daughter so much and I missed my family. That's why I was so sad and then the birthday came and everything," said former Tesco worker Mary. "I got so low."

"It was the first birthday I have ever been away from Deborah. I spent the day doing vocal training and then doing media interviews in a big hotel in London. It was evening by the time I got back to the house to ring Deborah. We spoke for an hour. I just felt so emotional and sad being away from her."